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Sustainable Development Select Committee - Thursday, 2 July 2026 - 7.00 pm
July 2, 2026 at 7:00 pm Sustainable Development Select Committee View on council websiteSummary
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The Sustainable Development Select Committee met on Thursday 2 July 2026, agreeing its work programme for the upcoming municipal year, which will now include a report on the regeneration of Catford Town Centre. The committee also received an update from the Cabinet Member for Environment, Nature, Transport and Climate Action, Councillor Corin Ashwell, on his priorities, including tackling fly-tipping and improving active travel.
Select Committee Work Programme Agreed
The committee agreed its work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year. A key amendment, proposed by Councillor Gavin Moore and seconded by Councillor Suzannah Clarke, was the inclusion of a report on the regeneration of Catford Town Centre1. Councillor Moore highlighted that this committee was the appropriate forum for scrutinising development issues, and Councillor Clarke emphasised the importance of Catford's regeneration as a significant town centre development. The work programme also includes planned discussions on the Climate Action Plan, flooding, sustainable streets, active travel, and the ecological crisis.
Cabinet Member Priorities: Environment, Nature, Transport and Climate Action
Councillor Corin Ashwell, Cabinet Member for Environment, Nature, Transport and Climate Action, provided an update on his portfolio's priorities. A major focus is the Love Lewisham
campaign to tackle fly-tipping and improve street cleanliness, which includes targeting hotspots, a communications campaign to foster civic pride, and reviewing the council's bulky waste collection service. Councillor Ashwell also highlighted ongoing work on active travel, the management of dockless bikes, and support for electric vehicles.
Discussions also covered the council's response to the ecological crisis, with an emphasis on building on existing work in parks and open spaces, and the implementation of the Biodiversity Action Plan2. The committee heard about efforts to improve flood management through measures like rain gardens and the importance of climate adaptation strategies, particularly concerning heat risk, which was identified as a significant challenge.
Councillor Ashwell indicated that the new administration aims to be more radical in its approach to transport, seeking to reduce private motor vehicle use and emissions. He stressed the importance of bringing residents along with these changes and fostering a sense of shared responsibility. The committee also discussed the need for greater integration between environmental policies and social equality objectives, with a focus on participatory budgeting and community engagement.
Specific concerns were raised regarding air quality, with discussions on improving it, particularly in relation to children's health. The impact of vehicle emissions, including the growing size and height of SUVs, was also debated, with suggestions for disincentivising their use and improving road safety for all users, including disabled residents. The committee also explored the challenges of fly-tipping, including the popularity of the bulky waste collection service leading to delays, and the need for consistent enforcement and resident education.
The Right to Grow
item was deferred to a future meeting.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Cabinet Member Priorities: Environment, Nature, Transport and Climate Action
Recommendations ApprovedThe Sustainable Development Select Committee decided to note the updates from the Cabinet Member for Environment, Nature, Transport and Climate Action on 02/07/2026. The committee received an update on the Cabinet Member's priorities for their portfolio.
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Committee Meeting Start Time for The Municipal Year 2026/27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Sustainable Development Select Committee decided the usual start time for its meetings. On 02/07/2026, the Committee approved that meetings would commence at 7.00 pm for the 2026/27 municipal year. This agreed start time will be used for scheduled meetings, subject to changes by the Proper Officer in consultation with the Chair.
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Select Committee Work Programme
Recommendations ApprovedThe Sustainable Development Select Committee approved the 2026/27 Work Programme on 02/07/2026. This included a report on the regeneration of Catford Town Centre, to be developed in consultation with officers.
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Minutes
Recommendations ApprovedThe Sustainable Development Select Committee approved the minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2026. The committee recommended strengthening community engagement by bike operators, increased investment in local schools and apprenticeships, and payment of the London Living Wage. They also recommended improvements to cycling infrastructure, including segregated cycle lanes, and future consideration of e-scooter schemes.
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Apologies
Recommendations ApprovedThe Sustainable Development Select Committee approved recommendations on 02/07/2026. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Eva Stamiroski.
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Right to Grow
Recommendations ApprovedSustainable Development Select Committee of Lewisham Council resolved that the Right to Grow item would be taken into consideration at a future meeting of the Committee on 02/07/2026.
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Declarations of interest
Recommendations ApprovedThe Sustainable Development Select Committee decided to approve recommendations on declarations of interest on 02/07/2026. The Chair declared employment by the Worldwide Fund for Nature and Chair of the Board of Climate Emergency UK. Cllr Kate Anderson declared employment by Green New Deal Rising.
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